The Complete Guide to Paris in Springtime

Paris in springtime can be as magical as you’d expect. But it can also be damp, windy, or sometimes hot like mid-summer. Paris in the spring needs layered clothing and a flexible schedule, but is great for budget travellers and those wanting to avoid the heaving summer crowds. Having spent a lot of time in the City of Love in all seasons, I thought I’d put together a complete guide to Paris in springtime to help you plan your visit.

Paris in Springtime : A Complete Guide

Where to stay in Paris in spring

The best place to stay in Paris in the spring is somewhere close by to some of the many gardens in the city. To fully appreciate the glorious spring flowers, and to take advantage of the sunny weather, strolls through the park in the morning are a must.

Jardins du Luxembourg – I love the east side of the gardens and the Boulevard St Michel that runs up to the river. The Hotel Observatoire Luxembourg is very convenient to both the gardens and the RER train to the airports.

Parc des Buttes Chaumont – The picturesque Parc des Buttes Chaumont is set in an ancient quarry. The Aparthotel Adagio Paris Buttes Chaumont is conveniently nearby; as is the Ibis Styles Paris Buttes-Chaumont.

Les Invalides – The manicured gardens of Les Invalides and Napoleon’s Tomb are a plush setting, and the Hotel & Spa de Latour Maubourg is a cute hotel tucked away nearby.

Champ de Mars – The impressive gardens behind the Eiffel Tower are a great spot for a stroll, and offer easy access to the many attractions in the area. The Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel offers good views of the tower.

Tuileries – Spring picnics in the Tuileries are special, and the Hotel Regina Louvre offers doorstep convenience to the gardens and the Louvre.

Book a package holiday with eBookers for great flight and hotel combination deals

The best activities in Paris in the spring

Bike rides along the Seine

The towpath along the Seine river is one of the most delightful ways to see the city. A great place to run, bike, promenade, or picnic; it provides a close-up view of the comings and goings of the river.

There are many places to hire bikes from in Paris. Many hotels offer the service, and there are physical bike hire shops, that also may run bike tours too. But the easiest and most flexible, is the Vélib’ Metropole automated bike hire system.

The Vélib’ system is super easy:

• Find one of their many ‘bike banks’ all over Paris
• Use the payment machine to order your bike, and use a credit card to secure the rental
• Use the code given by the machine to unlock your bike
• You can return them to any free Vélib’ docks around the city
• They also offer electric bikes, making the whole experience that much easier

I find cycling on the streets of Paris busy (and a little scary), so the river path is not only more gentille, but offers beautiful views of the city.

Galleries galore

The art galleries and museums in Paris are second to none. There are so many to see, it doesn’t matter what your interests are, it is likely there is one to meet every taste. From the famed Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, to the lesser known Musée Carnavalet and Palais de Tokyo modern art museum – Paris has it all.

Here are some of my favourites:

Louvre

Size and architecturally, the Louvre is magnificent. And honestly, I wouldn’t go if it’s just to see the Mona Lisa. She is small and underwhelming for most. But the Louvre is full of the most incredible art and artefacts from many cultures, including 2 floors of Egyptian art. Take an audio tour to learn more and be enriched by the history.

Some of the other famous art pieces in the Louvre include: Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix; The Venus de Milo, by Hellenistic artist Alexandros of Antioch; and Raphael’s The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist.

Musée d’Orsay

Housed in the old Orsay train station, the Musée d’Orsay has an impressive collection of mid-19th to mid-20th century photographs, sculpture and decorative art. But the real star of the show is how they have used this impressive ex-train station. It is a magnificent building, light and airy and perfect for this type of art.

Ateliers des Lumières

There are Ateliers des Lumières in many locations around the world – they are repurposed buildings turned into incredible immersive illumination exhibitions. Making art far more accessible and relatable, they take the beauty of different artists and add music, movement and size to change the dynamic between art and viewer.

My favourite location is actually in Bordeaux, at the Base Sous Marines (an ex-German U-boat facility) – but the concept and impact is the same no matter where you visit.

Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac

The Musée du quai Branly is a great place to visit with the family. It focuses on indigenous art and cultures of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas; and is housed in a building designed by famed architect Jean Nouvel.

Get a Paris Sightseeing Pass if you plan on seeing them all!

Parks & Recreation

Aside from the parks mentioned above there are two huge parks just outside the ring road of Paris, that are perfect for pique-niques and crisp spring days out and about.

The huge Bois de Boulogne, in the west of the city, was once the royal hunting grounds. It is now a delightful park with a lake, historic buildings, museums, restaurants, sports parks and other activities. It is also home to the new Louis Vuitton Foundation Art Museum – set in a striking building designed by Frank Gehry, it is worth going beyond the ring road for.

Also on the west side of Paris is Parc André Citroën, home to the Ballon de Paris Generali – A tethered air quality balloon that also takes tourists high above Paris for unparalleled views

On the other side of Paris, the huge Bois de Vincennes is another fantastic park to enjoy in the springtime. Or why not walk the Promenade Plantée (the original ‘high line’); an old elevated railway track converted into a garden and walkway.

Happy hour & people-watching in cafés

As I’ve elucidated in other articles, cafés in Paris are part of the cultural fabric of the city. There is nothing more convivial than sitting side by side, facing outwards, and watching the world go by. Passing un bon moment with a friend, drinking the perfect espresso, or perhaps cocktails at happy hour – there isn’t much better in the world.

Stuff your face

It may be stating the obvious here, but France is full of delicious food. Patisseries with cream cakes, flans and delicate mille-feuille; boulangeries with perfectly crunchy baguettes, croissants and chaussons aux pommes; and endless restaurants serving delectable prix fixe menus and daily specials.

Part of the reason why I moved to France was the food culture. Their reverence for ingredients, traditions, and cheese – well, it’s heaven really. Although, amusingly, the thing I rave about most in my guide to Paris, is a salad. Yep, a humble salad is my favourite meal in Paris. Read that article to learn more about where you can get this treat.

Weather in Paris in spring

The weather in Paris in spring is generally crisp and fresh; and while there are still an average of 8-9 days of rain per month, the sun has a tendency to shine even on cooler days.

The key to visiting Paris in springtime is to have an umbrella in your pocket at all times, and get used to the variable nature of the weather at this time of year. To be honest, it doesn’t really matter what the weather is doing, Paris is very much an all-weather city.

What to pack for Paris in the springtime

Layers, layers, layers. Due to the changing nature of the weather, and the ability of it to go from summer temperatures to rain storms in a blink of an eye, it’s important to bring and wear layers of clothing.

The Parisians are a stylish bunch, so lean into that if you’re so inclined. Simple classics and scarves are must-haves; and if you don’t have a scarf when you arrive, there are plenty of amazing department stores in which to purchase one.

The Complete Guide to Paris in Springtime

When I think about springtime in Paris, I have a visceral memory of the crispness of the air and the bright low sun casting shadows of the statues in the many gardens. Spring blooms adorn the flower shops, and the warm sun on your face counteracts the breeze coming off the Seine. It is magic, even in the rain.

Perhaps those are my Paris-loving-rose-tinted glasses talking, or the fact my birthday falls in spring and I often spend it in Paris… either way, that’s my guide to Paris in springtime, and I’m sticking to it!

Check out more of my Paris guides: From how to visit Paris with your dog, to discovering some outdoor gems!

All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM; and an iPhone.